Air Conditioning Myths That May Cost You More Money

Published on August 08, 2016

Myth 1: Hire your AC technician on Craigslist.

The internet has given us a variety of options to go to look for an air conditioning service technician, but be careful because not all are created equal. While the Better Business Bureau displays information on whether a business is accredited and, if so, a letter grade determined by their business history and practices, other web pages are accessible to anyone wanting to post an ad. Case in point, Craigslist will let anyone post an ad for their services, not requiring them to verify whether or not they’re really qualified, licensed and bonded, or have the correct training and background.

If you hire a company or individual without being able to confirm their qualifications and expertise, it could end up costing you more in the long run. If the tech doesn’t have the skills to properly service your actual AC equipment, you could end up needing a second, more experienced company to correct their mistakes and it could cost you multiple service charges.

Myth 2: Working with a small business is better.

Contracting with small businesses can be good for some odd jobs – it’s wonderful for the local business, great for the economy, and maybe even good for your pocket book. But be careful: small businesses or one-person businesses could leave you holding the bag. If something fails, they may simply disappear and not be available to fix it, or they might not have the workforce to get to you quickly, which is a problem if your air conditioning system breaks down in the dog days of summer.

Budgeting a little bit more for a bigger, more trusted and reliable company can come with perks that help offer you more assurance, including a one-year satisfaction guarantee, expert workmanship, a large certified team of servicemen and women who provide you service 24/7/365, and the assurance that they’ll be there if you need them again.

Myth 3: It’s fine to use any type of refrigerant in your air conditioning system.

With the government ending the production of R-22, many homeowners are observing the fee of refilling their AC system’s refrigerant going up. It may seem like a simple fix to just use a different and cheaper refrigerant, but if an air conditioning service technician recommends this, you likely want to call for a second opinion.

Manufacturers identify the exact refrigerant the equipment is designed for, and prior to 2010, it was commonly R-22. Although there is extreme reduction of the production of R-22, those air conditioning systems are still designed for it, and substituting a different refrigerant may not only cause destruction to your AC system, it could nullify your warranty. A nullified warranty might cost you hundreds or thousands more in future parts due to potential damage.

Myth 4: You don’t need routine air conditioning maintenance.

Most people who don’t currently have trouble with their AC may believe they don’t really need annual maintenance. It works just fine, so why spend the money on a tune-up, right? Don’t forget the fact that an annual AC tune- up costs around $79 while repairs will set you back around $500. Not to mention, most manufacturers require yearly maintenance to continue your warranty, so disregarding your yearly tune-up could also mean foregoing your warranty, resulting in a big payout if your air conditioning system decides to go out on the hottest day of the season.

Myth 5: Researching the business isn’t important.

It’s important to check that you do your research before picking an air conditioning service company, especially if you feel a particular company is putting pressure on you. As we said in Myth #1, some sites don’t demand a person to be qualified to market their services. You need to know what you’re getting into so you don’t have to pay for the same service multiple times.

Website reviews, referrals from family, and an a great accreditation grade with the Better Business Bureau will all help you to understand the type of company you will be trusting your business to and help you choose if they are best for you. Google+, Angie’s List, and the BBB are all good websites to start your homework. And, don’t be scared to ask for past customer testimonials. You could have to invest your money with your air conditioner contractor, so invest a little time and research to make sure they are the ideal company for your AC.

Myth 6: It costs more to turn your thermostat to a higher temperature while you’re not at home.

Long-term, it will actually cost you more to leave the thermostat at a lower temperature over the course of the day than to raise it 10 degrees while you’re away. It normally will not need an outrageous amount of additional energy to get your home comfortable once you enter, depending on the home.

A programmable thermostat lets the temperature to be adjusted from a mobile device so you can just adjust the temperature cooler before returning home, so your home is cool and comfortable when you get home. This decreases your energy throughout the day, as well as decreasing your cooling bills.

Fans help keep you cool, they don’t really lower the temperature of the home alone. In fact, fans (comparable to refrigerators) actually heat up homes. The motor that is forcing your fan to operate generates heat, which can push heat into the air in your family’s home. A good ceiling fan could help level the temperature of the room and may assist in cooling air by circulating, but if nobody is below the fan to feel the breeze, all it’s doing is squandering energy and money, especially if the AC is already on. So turn off ceiling fans when there is no one in the room and more air circulation is not needed.

Myth 8: It doesn’t matter where the thermostat is installed.

Thermostats use the temperature around it to decide whether it needs to turn on the air conditioner to cool your home. Installing a thermostat in a bedroom will only make sure that bedroom reaches the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Once that bedroom is cooled, the system will turn off and the remaining floor or home could be much warmer. If the thermostat is placed near a sunny window or an appliance, it might continuously think the temperature is much higher than the rest of the home truly is and constantly run your air conditioner, upping your energy bills.

Decreasing your air by too much may only make your AC run longer, it won’t get cooler any faster. If your thermostat is set on 77, but you really want it to be 75, then set it on 75 and it will kick on until it reaches that temperature. Putting the thermostat on 73 won’t make it cool to 75 any faster, and it will make your system run longer, wasting money and energy.

Myth 10: It’s ok to swap out your air filter once a year.

Depending on the health issues for the residents of the home, and the type of air filter you have for your AC, your air filter may need to be changed as often as every four weeks. Failure to change the air filter often enough not only means for your air conditioner to work harder and lower efficiency, it could also irritate respiratory illnesses like common allergy symptoms.

Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today to inquire about your AC or to set-up your free in-home consultation.

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